English Idioms

under lock and key

Meaning: If something is under lock and key, it is kept in a very secure place.

elbow grease

Meaning: If something needs elbow grease, it needs a lot of hard physical work.

the jewel in the crown

Meaning: If something is the jewel in the crown, it's part of a group or set of similar things, and it's the best of them all.

caught red-handed

Meaning: If someone is caught red-handed, they are caught in the act of doing something wrong such as cheating or stealing.

jump down your throat | jump all over you

Meaning: If someone jumps down your throat, or jumps all over you, they strongly criticise you or scold you.

the year dot | the year one

Meaning: You can say "the year dot", or "the year one", when you're talking about a very, very long time ago.

a fair-weather friend

Meaning: A fair-weather friend is a person who will only be your friend when things are going well for you.

answer the call of nature

Meaning: If you answer the call of nature, you go to the toilet.

easy on the eye

Meaning: If something is easy on the eye, it is pleasant to look at.

under the table

Meaning: If something is done under the table, it's done secretly, usually because it's illegal or unethical.

kick the bucket

Meaning: If someone kicks the bucket, they die.

dirt cheap

Meaning: You can say something is dirt cheap if it costs very little money.

give the green light

Meaning: If you give something the green light, you give permission for it to be done, or allow it to happen.

par for the course

Meaning: If something is par for the course, it's what you'd expect it to be.

up a gum tree

Meaning: If you're up a gum tree, you're in trouble or have a serious problem.